CD Reviews

Highly Underrated

Joshua Allen | Seattle, WA United States | 10/25/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Queer was by far the best Thompson Twins album; and I daresay c.s. dramatically unfair review is considering Queer in context of listening today rather than 12 years ago. While previous T.T. efforts were very pop-oriented and almost hackneyed new wave, Queer was truly innovative. When it came out, the hooks and beats were well in advance of their time; obviously created by people who were deeply intouch with the underground techno and house scenes at the time. In fact, I always felt if the album had come out 4 years later, the popular culture would have better accepted it, especially since its choice of themes was so prescient. Besides the quality of the music, the lyrics are decidedly more philisophical and spiritual. Other reviews have mentioned many of my favorite tracks; so I'll mention others that have been missed. The title track is pulsing and jittery; a musical analogue to the same-titled track by Garbage that would follow. "Jane" reminds me of an old Squeeze song; not terribly advanced but sticks in the mind. "Wind it Up" about religious themes. "Come Inside" is repetetive, but one imagines that hypnotic grooves is exactly the point, made clear with the remix. And these are not the best. I swore that half the industry cannibalized this CD for years after I first heard it, and in context of today it is still a pure delight. So clean and crisp, it all fits together and presents a message of positivity and lucidity."

Pure Delight

Joshua Allen | 02/18/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have always been a Thompson Twins fan. I have searched long and hard for this CD and finally came across it. Once I listened to it I have discovered that it is one of the best CD's the Thompson Twins ever released. Second only to INTO THE GAP. The whole CD from the first song, "Come Inside" until the last song, the remix of "Come Inside" is a pure delight. My favorite tracks are: "Come Inside", "Groove On" and "The Saint". All three were dance hits and could have easily been radio hits if the music industy here in the States were not so exclusive and judgemental on good bands. Other standout tracks are: "My Funky Valentine", "Flesh and Blood" and "Shake it Down". The Thompson Twins lost popularity with radio in the late 80's and thats ashame because this is a great CD. If you have the chance to buy it do not hesitate you will not be disappointed. Even though it was recorded in the early 90's it blends in with the music of today even better. I salute the great pop synth band The Thompson Twins!"

Best of Thompson Twins

W. Wright | 03/19/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Wow. After the Thompson Twins fell from commercial grace they released this, their best album by far. I just got it a week ago (having stopped buying TT discs after Close To The Bone) and now I can't stop listening to it. Visionary and upbeat, and flat-out brilliant. Buy it."

Among my favorite CDs

W. Wright | 03/15/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is catchy as hell. Every time i listen to it i spend the rest of the day going around humming it to myself. It's the best Thompson Twins CD (I own or have owned them all). Big Trash would be a close second and Quick Kick and Side Step would be a distant third. They transformed into Babble after this CD and both Ether and The Stone are up in the same class as Queer and Big Trash."

The best of TTs efforts, yet hardly known

J. Amedio | Chicago, Illinois | 12/10/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This cd was the highpoint of Tom Bailey's and Allanah Currie's efforts as The Thompson Twins. When this was released you could only here something close to this sound in underground, way alternative clubs. The sound. style on this cd is still even ahead of much of that progressive house sound. It was until later that Massive Attack and a couple other similar groups brought this sound into the mainstream.I agree with another reviewer who thought many in the industry cannibalized this cd (and still is). Thompson Twins reinvented themselves twice. The current or last name they went by was "The Babble." As "The Babble" they took this sound and moved more into the transcendental club sound, rich, lush, euphoric.They still make music from what I know of them and still do great work producing for others. I'd be a dream to work with two people so talented and creative and who did much to push, shape, and influence much of what happened in pop, synth, electronica, trance in the late 80s through the 90s."